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T10 to S1 Fusion Pre-Surgery Medical Treatment Plan
I have been a frequent visitor to this forum for almost 2 years when an orthopedic and neurosurgeon both told me that I was inoperable. I was reffered to physical therepy and pain management.
During this period, I had no relief so I turned my search to surgeons who specialize in spine deformities. My scoliosis is MILD, it says so on the MRI's. But this mild condition has caused a tumbling affect all the way down my spine.
Finally, a year ago I found an orthopedic surgeon who fits the criteria, and he proposed the fusion from T10 to S1. That lead me to a neurosurgeon in the same specialized field who recommended the same surgery with a couple of differences. Neuro Doc wants to perform two surgeries over a two day period that involves three cages and rods, but he also wants me to take tymlos for three months prior to performing the surgery.
This is a lot to comprehend, but please stick with me a minute longer. Prior to Neuor Doc proposing this entire surgery plan, I provided him a copy of my Dexa scan, that was rated very very good with no osteoporosis, and one mention of ostepenia on my femer that barely qualified as osteopenia. I then went to an endochrinologist to review the dexascan and she provided her notes from that visit with the Doctor stating that no treatment plan was necessary and my bone health would not compromise the surgery.
The doctor gave no credit for the endochrinologists report, and insisted that a begin a treatment plan of Tymlos for at least three months before he would schedule surgery.
Has anyone else been confronted with this type of dilema? There have been studies on strengthening bone health prior to surgery that supports better outcomes with this (one was done by MayClinic). But those studies were done on patients who were full blown osteoporosis and would automatically be deemed a very high risk patient for this type of surgery.
I would also like to hear from anyone who experienced failed or revision surgery due to osteopenia or osteoporisis.
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Hi I was 58 when I had T4-S1 fused. I really had no option at that point. I was unable to walk more then a few feet or stand. Its been just over 2 years and I am doing great. I can walk stand etc. With very little pain. You'll have pain after surgery but it gets better. Before surgery I just kept getting worse. I had terrible leg pain. After surgery it was gone. I wish I had it done sooner. But well worth it.
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5 Reactionsthank you - best of luck down the road
@cyndigarrison Hi. Just wondering how it works at Mayo, do you contact Mayo and they then assign a doctor / surgeon to you, based on your case? or did you specifically request Dr. Neal? And if so, I assume someone referred you to him?
@ccchang hi there. I contacted them and I got Dr. Neal. Im on Medicare due to disability. Just the regular kind, so I self refer to doctors that accept Medicare. Im sure that you can do the same and request him. Good luck and God bless you. It was the best thing for me and I hope you have the same success.
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